Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Shri Baba Balak Nathji

It is well known that Lord Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Mata Parvati and the younger brother of Shri Baba Balak Nathji also known as Kartikey, Skand, Kumar, Subrahmanya, Murgan and many other names at numerous locations in India. According to Puranas, reincarnations of Shri Baba Balak Nathji during Satya Yug was Skand & Kartikey, in Treta Yug – Sukhdev Swami, in Dvapar Yug – Sukhdev Swami, Manikant and in Kali Yug – Sukhdev Swami, Swami Ayy Appa and Shri Baba Balak Nath Ji. Shri Baba Balak Nath Ji is worshiped throughout country under different names. Baba Balak Nath Ji is a Maha Yogi and basically the story of Baba Balak Nath Ji begin with his pilgrimage to the Himalayas where He meets with His parents – Mata Parvati and the great Lord Shiva.

Baba Balak Nath Ji possessed the knowledge of a Maha Yogi upon his birth and many devotees throughout the world chants His name and does His worship. The Sidhpeeth of Baba Balak Nath Ji is based on the “Siddha Traditions”. The Sidhpeeth is one of the utmost famous piet places of India in the hill State of Himachal Pradesh – which is also known as Pawansthali and God’s own land. The Temple of Baba Balak Nath Ji and Cave (Gufa) graces the Deot Sidh in Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh. Devotees from India and abroad refers this Temple to reinforce firm faith in the Siddha Tradition. We attempt to put a few of these on our Website, along with the system of worship and spirtualism.

Miracles in Shah Talai :
Baba Balak Nath Ji, is told to came to Bachhretu Mahadev from Kurukshetra where he had come with saints at the time of Solar Eclipse. Thereafter, Baba Ji came to Shaha Talai and met ‘Ratno Mai’ - the epitome of ‘Dwapra’s old woman, who had guided ‘Mahakaul Baba Ji’. Thus Baba Ji was to compensate, what that old woman had done for Him in ‘Dvapra Yuga’. So Baba Ji took the most inconvenient work of cow-grazing from Ratno Mai.

Vat Vriksh Tapsya Sathali of Baba Balak Nath Ji at Shah Talai :

There was a Banyan Tree, below which Baba Ji made his shelter and told Ratno Mai that He would meditate below Banyan Tree and graze the cows side by side. He asked her to leave the Roti and Lassi there for taking by Him after meditation. Baba Ji committed with Ratno Mai to work for her so long she would remain satisfied. Everything remained smooth till twelve years. People started complaining the damage to crop field by the cows by the end of 12th year.

atno Mai used to ignore such complaints; but the complaint of village Pardhan broke the patience of Ratno Mai and she started rebuking Baba Ji. At this, Baba Ji took Ratno Mai and village Pardhan alongwith other people to the field and saw the said spot where there was no damage at all. Everybody was taken aback by this miracle. Baba Ji came back to His place of worship and asked Ratno Mai to take back her cows and let Him go His way. Ratno Mai out of motherly affection/attachment tried to persuade Baba Ji and reminded Him about her providing Roti and Lassi for 12 years.

Babal Balak Nath ji is a Punjabi and Hindu deity worshipped in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The shrine is known as "Deotsidh". Baba balak Nath ji''s Temple is situated at village Chakmoh of district Hamirpur on the hill top. The temple has a natural cave carved in the hills which is considered to be the abode of Babaji.

A idol of Babaji is placed in the cave. The devotees offer ‘Rot’, which is prepared with flour and Sugar / Gur, at the altar of Babaji.Goats can also be offered to Babaji as a gesture for his love. The entry of females in the cave is forbidden.However,there is a raised platform just opposite to the cave from where the females can have ‘Darshan’ of the Babaji''s idol.

Six kilometers further from the temple,situated a place named "Shah-talai" where Babaji is said to have practiced Dhyana(mediatation). [edit] Story The story of Baba Balak Nath can be found in the Baba Balak nath Amar Katha. It is beleived that Baba Balak Nath ji took birth in all the yugas(periods) Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kal Yuga the present age, and known by different names for each period.He was known as ‘Skanda''in ‘Sat Yuga'', ‘Kaul'' in ‘TretaYuga'' and ‘Mahakaul'' and ‘Dvapra Yuga''. In each incarnation, he helped the poors,destitutes and removed their problems and miseries. In each birth, he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. ‘Mahakaul'' of ‘Dvapra Yuga'', while going to ‘Kailasha Parvata'', met an old woman on the way. The old lady asked about the mission and destination of Baba Ji. After knowing his desire to meet lord Shiva, the old woman advised ‘Mahakaul'' to meditate at the bank of ‘Mansarovar''river and request ‘Mother Parvati'' (who occassionally come there for bathing), help him in reaching ‘Lord Shiva''.

‘Mahakaul''acted as was told and became successful in his mission of reaching ‘Lord Shiva''.On seeing ‘Balayogi Mahakaul'', ‘Lord Shiva'' became very happy and blessed Baba Ji to be a ‘Sidha symbol'' of worship for devotees till ‘Kaliyuga'' and blessed him child like image to remain for ever. In Kala Yuga Baba Balak Nath ji took birth as ''Dev''. He was born in Gujarat, Kathiabad. The name of His mother was Laxmi and his father was Vishno Vaish. Since childhood Baba Ji was always lost in ‘Bhagvad devotion''. Seeing this, his parents decided to marry him; but Baba Ji didn''t agree and left his home in search of ‘Parma Sidhi''.On his way, he came across ‘Swami Dattaitreya'' in Junagarh on Girnar hill - a historical place. It is here Baba ji learnt the basics of ‘Sidhas'' from Swami Dattaitreya and became ‘Sidha'' and came to be known as ‘Baba Balak Nath Ji''. ≍Their are two other distinct evidences of Baba Balak Nath ji"s presence.One is the tree of GARUNA.It is a bush tree still present at SHAHTLAI town.This was the tree where BABAJI used to meditate.Second is an old Police Station in Town BURSUR where some cows were kept when they destroyed the crops. Baba Ji were employed by one lady named Ratno to lookafter these cows. Baba ji practised Brahmchyra(celibacy)throughout.

That is why as a mark of respect the women devotees don''t enter the sanctom sanctorum established in the ''gufa''(cave)where he is believed to have disappeared.Babaji was so engrossed in his ''tapasya''(worship) that he never consumed the ''rotis'' offered to him by Mai Ratno who had employed him for looking after her cows.Once when she criticised him for not doing his job well though being fed so well by her,he reproduced the ''rotis''(bread) hidden in a tree trunk and Lassi from the ground.